Biography

Spanish filmmaker, a director, screenwriter, composer and actor, a leading figure in the new Spanish cinema. Formerly a telephone company employee and a contributor to underground magazines and comic books, he began dabbling in amateur filmmaking in 1974. His first film, "Dos Putas" was shot in 8-millemeter.

His following work included acting in avant-garde plays, singing with a rock band, and publishing the "confessions" of fictional porn star Patty Diphusa.

By the late '80s, he was established as one of Spain's internally best known and most admired directors with work that included "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," 1988 and "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" 1990. After 13 features, his 1999 release was "All About My Mother," a film regarded as more consistent and mature.

Openly gay, an enchanting chatterbox with electrified hair, he often creates characters who are homosexual or bisexual, as well as taking great zest in challenging Spain's political correct stance. Writing his own off-beat scripts, he is his most effective with caustic, irreverent, shocking comedy.

In mid-March 2004, the Spanish director received some unwanted publicity after he said that Spain’s outgoing Popular Party tried to hatch a coup the day before its defeat in the March 14th election. The party denied the charge and declared they would take legal action against the director. Almodóvar says he "just echoed a sea of rumors" that claimed the party would try to postpone the elections in the wake of the Madrid bombings.